Far out generations

Lauderdale anime, Star Trek event held for kids, parents

FORT LAUDERDALE — When Ray Tesi took his son and daughter to anime conventions throughout Florida, he noticed the other parents he met were usually Star Trek fans.

That observation led Tesi, 53, an ardent Trekkie himself, to organize a Naruto-Star Trek convention in Fort Lauderdale as an event that would offer something for both generations.

"I did this for the kids and their parents," said Tesi, who lives in Boca Raton and works as vice president of a direct marketing firm.

On Sunday, however, there was nary a Vulcan ear in sight and the younger anime fans seemed to be in charge - playing card games in the lobby of the Sheraton Suites Cypress Creek, sparring with padded weapons called "boffers," and lining up for autographs from the voice actors of the American Naruto series.

The term anime refers to animated material from Japan. Naruto, which tells the story of a teenage ninja, has become popular in the United States, spawning online communities, video games and fan clubs.

During one panel discussion, fans sought answers to pressing questions such as which presidential candidate Naruto would vote for, what his theme song would be, and what character he would most like to date.

Maile Flanagan, the actress behind Naruto's energetic voice and catchphrase "Believe it!", threw a few questions back at the audience, asking by show of hands how many enjoyed writing, art and performing.

"I've been all over the world doing conventions and the fans are really creative," Flanagan said.

Mario Bonaparte Gray, 8, whose aunt drove him to the conference from New York, said he admired Naruto because "he never gives up."

Many teenage fans, who proudly called themselves geeks, said they related to the show's themes of friendship and acceptance.

"Every character has their own outcast story," said Doris Tores, 17. "Nobody is alone."

Friend Marci Finley, 18, chimed in: "It's basically the story of any anime fan in the world."

Despite the generation gap between the Star Trek and Naruto fans, both groups seem to show their appreciation by dressing in costume and memorizing the intricate mythology of their chosen series.

Of the event's dual theme, Ben Torrens, 17, of Miami Beach, called the convention "a perfect family event," adding: "I just wish my parents were Trekkies."